January 2018
City 4 Burnley 1
FA Cup R3
January 6th 2018 att.53,356
Definitely a game of two halves! City took it too easy in the first half with a well organized Burnley defence preventing City chances. The Burnley keeper hardly had a save to make. Then on 25 minutes a miss kick by John Stones gave Barnes a chance and Burnley took a surprise lead. Now the pressure was on City and no doubt there were a few words by Pep at half time.
Ten minutes into the second half a quickly taken free kick by Gundagon put Aguero through and he made no mistake and City were level. Burnley were a bit upset as they waited for a whistle. Before Burnley could recover a great back heel by Gundagon put Aguero through again and suddenly City were two up - magic stuff! Sane added a third from a pass from David Silva and then another break by City saw a great pass by De Bruyne to Sane who rounded the keeper and passed to Benardo Silva - who had just come on - and he shot into the empty net and it was 4-1.
One felt a little sorry for Burnley who had defended well in the first half but the second half was a different story and City extended their unbeaten run.
Fernandinho is rapidly becoming a star in midfield and a good successor to Yaya Toure and Gundagon made two great assist passes to change the game. Zinchenko made his 3rd appearance in the Cup and didn't look too bad at all.
City made several changes resting Ederson, Walker, Delph and De Bruyne bringing in Bravo, Danilo, Zinchenko and Gundogan
As expected Burnley brought a lot of support taking over the top two tiers in the South Stand
On 9 minutes Sterling broke down the wing but was brought down by Taylor
The free kick taken by Silva was cleared for a corner
A couple of efforts by skipper David Silva are blocked
on 17 minutes Aguero is fouled on the edge of the area but the free kick by Gundogan is blocked by the wall
At the other end a header by ex City player Mee is cleared by City
On 21 minutes City fans applauded David Silva in response to his personal problem
Burnley were giving City some problems and there was worse to come
On 25 minutes Stones fails to clear and lets in Barnes who cracks the ball past Bravo
The top ties started to shake as the Burnley fans celebrated
A shot goes over the bar
A Gundagon shot is blocked
Bravo catches the ball at a corner
A shot from Zinchenko just goes over the bar
A goal up at half time Barnes tried to add to their score but the ball sailed over the bar
City began to tick and won a corner which was cleared
On 56 minutes City won a free kick when Danilo was fouled. Gundagon took a quick free kick passing to Aguero who scored - we were level !
The celebrations started
It was a vital goal and well thought out
Westwood was given a yellow card for protesting and there were words on the touchline too!
A minute later and Gundagon back heeled the ball.....
.....to Aguero who rounded the keeper
.....and passed into the empty goal to put City in front - magic stuff!
Time to celebrate
Fernandinho shows the crowd the feeling!
Pope saves from Danilo
The ball came eventually to Sane who hit the ball over the bar from a good position - a missed chance!
City clear a corner
Cork fouls Silva and gets a yellow card
Silva then puts Sane through and he makes no mistakes this time slotting the ball past Pope to make it 3-1
More celebrations and is it game over yet!
....Well maybe not quite as Burnley forced some corners
Aguero is foiled
A header by Vokes is wide
On 82 minutes a good pass from De Bruyne gives Sane a chance and he rounds the keeper and crosses to ......
Benardo Silva who scores easily
Now it was game over and round 4 to come
Burnley did try for a consolation goal but it finished on four one and a much better second half for City
team
Bravo 7: Danilo 6.5, Stones 6.5, Otamendi 7, Zinchenko 7 (Walker): Fernandinho 8.5, Gundagon 8 (De Bruyne), Sane 7.5, Silva 8, Aguero 8 (Benardo Silva) Sterling 7
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